With easy access to most stretches, the Association controls fishing on large sections of the River Irthing, a major tributary of the River Eden, running close to Hadrian's Wall for much of it's length, and the Rivers Gelt and King Water. It's waters vary from the boulder-strewn streams of the upper Gelt and King Water to the broader pools that typify the lower Irthing until it joins the Eden.
There are large numbers of small brown trout but also a good number of notable specimens being caught and usually returned. The best recorded was a brown trout of 3lb 14 3/4oz and a number of others in the 1lb 8oz to 3lb 8oz class. Grayling continue to increase in prominence in catch returns. Again some excellent fish in the 2lb class and grayling increasing in spread from Gelt Foot up to St Mary’s Vale. This can also hopefully be taken as an indicator of an improving water quality and aquatic environment.
The whole of the association water is designated Site of Special Scientific Interest and is a Candidate Special Area of Conservation. Following last year’s collaboration with ERT, some work has been carried planting willows in order to improve habitat and to reduce erosion. Some of our catch numbers show an increasingly improving situation on the river.
